Jones Trust grant pushes Emporia Child Care campaign to $1.5 million raised

Emporia Child Care’s Kids First fundraising campaign took a major step forward recently.

Thanks to a $750,000 grant from the WS and EC Jones Testamentary Trust, the consolidation effort has now reached $1.5 million overall. Goal is $1.8 million.

In a news release, Emporia Child Care board chair Lisa Kirmer said nearly 100 donors have joined with the Jones Trust to help the effort, which will combine the agency’s operations under one roof in the 1300 block of C of E Drive and potentially doubling the child care’s capacity. The drive has now been underway for several years, and Director Deb Crowl is hoping to wrap up fundraising as Emporia Child Care prepares for its 50th anniversary in 2021.

Crowl will join KVOE’s Newsmaker 2 segment at 8:20 am Monday with more information.